Charging port on Kobo devices

tracings · 08-29-2017, 11:16 PM

I've been using Kobo readers since 2010, and what seems to fail on my devices is the charging connection. It seems that, for me, what dictates purchasing a new Kobo is the charging port. I always use the cable that comes with them, but somehow, eventually, it doesn't connect properly and/or consistently.

I am currently using a Glo HD, and the connection seems rather loose. To charge it, I frequently need to use a sturdy rubber band to hold the cable in place, otherwise it doesn't charge, and it is not recognized by my computer.

When the rubber band doesn't work, I end up positioning the cable over odd and sundry objects to get the connection to work. My most recent setup involved threading the cable over the top of my coffee maker while the ereader semi-dangled over the kitchen counter.

I'm feeling that the ability to charge the reader and sideload books could disappear at any day, so I'm beginning the odious research into a new ereader. AND, I'm wondering if new, and more expensive, versions of the Kobo will have the same problem with the charging port connections.

Am I alone in having difficulties with the original (and other) cables making a connection with the Kobo? And, if not, do newer models seem to avoid this inconvenience/problem?

AnemicOak · 08-29-2017, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tracings

Am I alone in having difficulties with the original (and other) cables making a connection with the Kobo? And, if not, do newer models seem to avoid this inconvenience/problem?

I've only got one Kobo, an Aura HD purchased in 2013 on release day, and can say I've never had an issue with the internal USB port using either the cable that came with it or other cables. My device has seen what I'd consider heavy use (I read 300-400 books per year).

davidfor · 08-30-2017, 12:33 AM

I haven't had any issues with the port on any of my Kobo devices. I've used all sorts of cables and I'm not sure if I have ever actually used the cables that were supplied with the devices. I know the cable for the Aura ONE is still in the box, and I suspect the same is for the one for the Glo HD.

GeoffR · 08-30-2017, 07:53 AM

My Glo is getting on for 5 years old and has had fairly heavy use, but I've never had any problems with the USB port or cable.

frostschutz · 08-30-2017, 10:00 AM

The USB ports are very delicate. At the same time the plug acts as leverage. Putting any kind of stress on it (by using rubber bands and the like) will only make it worse.

I bought a used H2O some time ago (for my parents) and its USB port was a lot more worn out, than the port on my own device. Still worked but you could tell it was out of shape just by looking at it. I can't think of any other reason than people not treating their devices as carefully as they should, or trying to plug things in the wrong way.

Maybe USB-C will be sturdier. None of my devices have that yet.

When the USB port breaks it's hard to fix - but it can be done with effort. Requires opening the device (and risk breaking the even more fragile eink screen while doing so) and some very fine soldering. Smartphones get the same issue a lot, and smartphone repair shops are wide spread, so you might be able to find local help.

There are cables that have magnetic connectors, so if you put stress on the cable, the cable simply falls of while the plug itself just stays inside the port. But they tend to have connection or other quality issues. Also it might not be a good fit with most readers...

JSWolf · 08-30-2017, 12:28 PM

I want nothing to do with USB-C until we can buy cables that will work without damaging our equipment. MicroUSB seems to be fine (doesn't damage the equipment) with crap cables. USB-C is dangerous with crap cables.

Deskisamess · 08-30-2017, 12:35 PM

Port wear and tear is one of the reasons I love the Calibre wifi downloading option using the Content Server. There is something less than robust about the port on my Glo HD.

I'll be glad when the browser download option is fixed. I've been emailing epubs to my gmail account, and downloading in the browser that way, but it is slower and more clunky.

tracings · 09-02-2017, 03:35 AM

Thanks for all the comments. I've used numerous smartphones, tablets, etc. for years, but my Glo HD's charging port has always been problematic ... the original cable has *never* felt secure to me, but on the other hand, it has somehow worked ... and continues to work with "wiggling" and, yes, rubber bands. I've not had this trouble with other devices (various Nooks, ipad 2, ipad air, ipad mini, ipad gen5, various hotspots and other devices with USB/mini connectors, not to mention numerous phones), so I'm thinking I'm generally able to handle the delicate ports responsibly.

From day one, the connection on this one has felt "less than robust", as Deskisamess says, and actually, it seems pretty different from my Touch or original Glo. Since I always insert the cable properly, ie - I make sure I'm gently inserting it in the correct orientation, it feels like this may originate in the reader/port itself.

Whatever the cause, the good news is that if it somehow dies, I'll be able to upgrade!

Again, thanks for the comments. I appreciate all of the help the Mobile Read members offers.

Virgokid · 12-20-2017, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Am I alone in having difficulties with the original (and other) cables making a connection with the Kobo? And, if not, do newer models seem to avoid this inconvenience/problem?

I am experiencing the same issue with my Kobo Glo HD. The USB port is finicky and I sometimes have to prop it against something in order to make the connection. I plan to open it up and see if I can resolder the port.

tea2 · 12-20-2017, 07:13 PM

My old Kobo Glo eventually got finicky with the micro-usb cables after maybe 2 or 3 years and only the sturdier ones would work. New Aura2 okay so far (not even a year old, though, so can't really say if things have improved).

ReaLx3m · 12-20-2017, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frostschutz

There are cables that have magnetic connectors, so if you put stress on the cable, the cable simply falls of while the plug itself just stays inside the port. But they tend to have connection or other quality issues. Also it might not be a good fit with most readers...

There have been reports of those magnetic cables burning out the charge controllers on devices.
As far as i recall it was due to the connector being double sided so you can connect the cable in either orientation, and them not being correctly soldered internally.
This shouldnt be a problem with a brand name more expensive magnetic cable i guess, but all ive come upon so far are cheap chinese brands.
So i wouldnt use one myself and advise against it, at least untill a reputable manufacturer comes up with one.

DNSB · 12-23-2017, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frostschutz

There are cables that have magnetic connectors, so if you put stress on the cable, the cable simply falls of while the plug itself just stays inside the port. But they tend to have connection or other quality issues. Also it might not be a good fit with most readers...

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReaLx3m

There have been reports of those magnetic cables burning out the charge controllers on devices. As far as i recall it was due to the connector being double sided so you can connect the cable in either orientation, and them not being correctly soldered internally. This shouldnt be a problem with a brand name more expensive magnetic cable i guess, but all ive come upon so far are cheap chinese brands. So i wouldnt use one myself and advise against it, at least untill a reputable manufacturer comes up with one.

The only magnetic connectors I have come across that were reliable were on Mac laptops (MagSafe) and Microsoft's Surface devices. the one USB 2 magnetic cable I tried was a bowlful of rye flakes and the USB C magnetic cable wouldn't connect on the three devices I tried it on though one Dell tablet did think it was a charging cable -- quite possibly, this lack of reliability is the reason that Apple's devices with USB C charging do not have magnetic connectors. And yes, both cables were Chinese made but cheap they weren't.

Wolfsbruder · 12-25-2017, 04:41 AM

If i may pipe in on magnetic cables. I have had really good luck with the Wsken mini 2 magnetic charge / data cable.

https://www.amazon.com/Wsken-Magneti...ds=wsken&psc=1

Sanross · 10-04-2018, 11:29 AM

I am having the same problem and using your same solution. Did you ever get it repaired

08-29-2017, 11:16 PM	#1
tracings Enthusiast Posts: 35 Karma: 263927 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: Kobo Touch, Nook HD, Nook Glowlight 3, Kobo Glo HD, Kobo Forma	Charging port on Kobo devices I've been using Kobo readers since 2010, and what seems to fail on my devices is the charging connection. It seems that, for me, what dictates purchasing a new Kobo is the charging port. I always use the cable that comes with them, but somehow, eventually, it doesn't connect properly and/or consistently. I am currently using a Glo HD, and the connection seems rather loose. To charge it, I frequently need to use a sturdy rubber band to hold the cable in place, otherwise it doesn't charge, and it is not recognized by my computer. When the rubber band doesn't work, I end up positioning the cable over odd and sundry objects to get the connection to work. My most recent setup involved threading the cable over the top of my coffee maker while the ereader semi-dangled over the kitchen counter. I'm feeling that the ability to charge the reader and sideload books could disappear at any day, so I'm beginning the odious research into a new ereader. AND, I'm wondering if new, and more expensive, versions of the Kobo will have the same problem with the charging port connections. Am I alone in having difficulties with the original (and other) cables making a connection with the Kobo? And, if not, do newer models seem to avoid this inconvenience/problem?

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08-30-2017, 12:33 AM	#3
davidfor Grand Sorcerer Posts: 24,905 Karma: 47303824 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Device: Kobo:Touch,Glo, AuraH2O, GloHD,AuraONE, ClaraHD, Libra H2O; tolinoepos	I haven't had any issues with the port on any of my Kobo devices. I've used all sorts of cables and I'm not sure if I have ever actually used the cables that were supplied with the devices. I know the cable for the Aura ONE is still in the box, and I suspect the same is for the one for the Glo HD.

08-30-2017, 07:53 AM	#4
GeoffR Wizard Posts: 3,821 Karma: 19162882 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Te Riu-a-Māui Device: Kobo Glo	My Glo is getting on for 5 years old and has had fairly heavy use, but I've never had any problems with the USB port or cable.

08-30-2017, 10:00 AM	#5
frostschutz Linux User Posts: 2,282 Karma: 6123806 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Heidelberg, Germany Device: none	The USB ports are very delicate. At the same time the plug acts as leverage. Putting any kind of stress on it (by using rubber bands and the like) will only make it worse. I bought a used H2O some time ago (for my parents) and its USB port was a lot more worn out, than the port on my own device. Still worked but you could tell it was out of shape just by looking at it. I can't think of any other reason than people not treating their devices as carefully as they should, or trying to plug things in the wrong way. Maybe USB-C will be sturdier. None of my devices have that yet. When the USB port breaks it's hard to fix - but it can be done with effort. Requires opening the device (and risk breaking the even more fragile eink screen while doing so) and some very fine soldering. Smartphones get the same issue a lot, and smartphone repair shops are wide spread, so you might be able to find local help. There are cables that have magnetic connectors, so if you put stress on the cable, the cable simply falls of while the plug itself just stays inside the port. But they tend to have connection or other quality issues. Also it might not be a good fit with most readers...

08-30-2017, 12:28 PM	#6
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,756 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I want nothing to do with USB-C until we can buy cables that will work without damaging our equipment. MicroUSB seems to be fine (doesn't damage the equipment) with crap cables. USB-C is dangerous with crap cables.

08-30-2017, 12:35 PM	#7
Deskisamess Wizard Posts: 2,752 Karma: 45301087 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Ohio Device: iPhone 13 Pro, iPad mini, iPad Pro 12.9",Paperwhite 6.8", Scribe 2022	Port wear and tear is one of the reasons I love the Calibre wifi downloading option using the Content Server. There is something less than robust about the port on my Glo HD. I'll be glad when the browser download option is fixed. I've been emailing epubs to my gmail account, and downloading in the browser that way, but it is slower and more clunky.

09-02-2017, 03:35 AM	#8
tracings Enthusiast Posts: 35 Karma: 263927 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: Kobo Touch, Nook HD, Nook Glowlight 3, Kobo Glo HD, Kobo Forma	Thanks for all the comments. I've used numerous smartphones, tablets, etc. for years, but my Glo HD's charging port has always been problematic ... the original cable has never felt secure to me, but on the other hand, it has somehow worked ... and continues to work with "wiggling" and, yes, rubber bands. I've not had this trouble with other devices (various Nooks, ipad 2, ipad air, ipad mini, ipad gen5, various hotspots and other devices with USB/mini connectors, not to mention numerous phones), so I'm thinking I'm generally able to handle the delicate ports responsibly. From day one, the connection on this one has felt "less than robust", as Deskisamess says, and actually, it seems pretty different from my Touch or original Glo. Since I always insert the cable properly, ie - I make sure I'm gently inserting it in the correct orientation, it feels like this may originate in the reader/port itself. Whatever the cause, the good news is that if it somehow dies, I'll be able to upgrade! Again, thanks for the comments. I appreciate all of the help the Mobile Read members offers.

12-20-2017, 07:13 PM	#10
tea2 Zealot Posts: 102 Karma: 864936 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Canada Device: Kindle 2, iPad Mini 4, Aura One, Kobo Clara 2e	My old Kobo Glo eventually got finicky with the micro-usb cables after maybe 2 or 3 years and only the sturdier ones would work. New Aura2 okay so far (not even a year old, though, so can't really say if things have improved).

12-25-2017, 04:41 AM	#13
Wolfsbruder Connoisseur Posts: 59 Karma: 260632 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: US Device: Kobo HD, Kobo Aura H2O, Kobo Aura One, Kobo Forma, Kobo Elipsa	If i may pipe in on magnetic cables. I have had really good luck with the Wsken mini 2 magnetic charge / data cable. https://www.amazon.com/Wsken-Magneti...ds=wsken&psc=1

10-04-2018, 11:29 AM	#14
Sanross Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2018 Device: Kobo go hd	I am having the same problem and using your same solution. Did you ever get it repaired

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